The Carnival - spelt, 'Carnaval,' in Portuguese - is a Portuguese legacy which is making a big comeback with the Catholics of Daman. It had reached its height in the 80's and is seeing a revival since the past 3-4 years with Carnival 2011 taking it a notch higher than last year's celebrations.
This annual three-day festival is celebrated in Brazil, Goa and other former Portuguese colonies. It begins on the first Sunday of Lent though there's no connection with Lent from a religious angle.
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This is the main road in Big Daman - people are coming out of Machiwar (one of the 'Bairros' of Daman) and heading towards the football field |
Unlike the Goa carnival which is termed as the 'commercialized' version, the Daman Carnival is unique in that it's not a sponsored event and is truly the carnival 'of the people, by the people - and most importantly - for the people!' In fact, the Catholics who take part in the three-day event, don't even approach any commercial establishment for sponsorship.
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Revelers coming out of the various 'Bairros' on to the main road of Big Daman |
The first day of carnival is called, '
Domingo Gordo' ('Fat' Sunday:) in Portuguese. The Damanense '
espatada' (pigling BBQ) accompanied with the local liquor and a special salad made from brinjals (eggplant) baked underground and Portuguese music is the de rigueur staple!
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Revelers dancing in one of the 'Bairros' of Big Daman |
Portuguese music, especially Pimba, is a favourite as it makes it easy to use the beat for marching along the streets, incorporating the same dance-steps used in the Damanense wedding march!
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The groups (mini floats) dance their way from 'Bairro' to 'Bairro' to recorded Portuguese Pimba music blaring from speakers mounted on to little trucks with a DJ onboard
The closest thing to carnival in India is 'Holi' in that both have revelers and use colour on each though in the Daman Carnival, a sort of cheap talcum powder is used and 'gulal' or water-based colours are never used. The main two differences however, are that while 'holi' is a religious festival, carnival though celebrated by Catholics, is not a religious festival; secondly, revelers come out in fancy dress while in 'holi' that's not the case.
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Adeus, ate outro ano! |